Mosrite pedal steel guitar?

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 6 Jun 2017 9:20 pm

Hi Chris,
I'm sure you'd know better than me. Just that I've never hear that before.
So just curious, what are those things called that the pull rods go through that push the brass barrels when activated?
Best wishes,
Andy

Chris Lucker · Post by **Chris Lucker** » 6 Jun 2017 9:23 pm

They are called racks or cages. But usually racks.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 6 Jun 2017 9:34 pm

Okay so they can be called racks.
I just looked back and saw you had posted above me referring to the pedal rack.
That was the confusion because I'd not seen that post before.

One thing I love about the forum is any time a question comes up, someone with good knowledge will respond with an intelligent answer.
I often feel like I'm getting an on going education here.

Wonder if that will earn me a degree in pedalsteelology?
Or maybe I should just say steelnbarology!
This has to be the most fun instrument ever invented.

Have you ever thought of doing a book on the development from the beginnings of pedals to Bigsby and on through Chuck Wright, Shot & Buddy and all the early developments and the men who created them?
They sure deserve a good place in our history.
Not sure about the market for such a book, but bet many of the forum members would buy one in a New York minute.
Thanks,
Andy

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 6 Jun 2017 9:55 pm

By the way, the pedals and rack do look like the one that was on a Crossover I had from 78 until about 82. Even the way it's cut out at the ends.

Chris Lucker · Post by **Chris Lucker** » 6 Jun 2017 11:04 pm

Six pedals. That makes sense for a cross over. I did not know they used a cast pedal rack for cross overs. I don't then I have ever seen one in person.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 7 Jun 2017 5:58 am

Yes my old crossover had the same cast design.
Most came with 6 pedals. Mine had 7 so was an oddball.

Now something I know a lot about or can find out.
On the steel in the thread, the position markers are older banjo designs.
This I know because we have been making and selling them for 16 years.
The main design on most frets was available from the turn of the century.

There were lots of pearl and abalone inlays made in Europe back then and sold to almost all the guitar, mandolin and banjo companies that were around at that time.
Those disappeared in the 1980's and when I started my inlay business I started making them all available again, but we improved the process.

The 12 fret design is an older banjo inlay design, but can't remember which one until I look it up. May have been used by several companies as many were mixed and matched in the old days.

John Williamson · Post by **John Williamson** » 7 Jun 2017 7:11 am

They may be banjo but they have definitely been modified with an M in the middle.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 7 Jun 2017 7:38 am

This is the original design before being turned upside-down and the "M" was added;

The 12th fret design comes from this turned right and left with a center section added. I think I've see that combination somewhere, but don't recall where?

If I remember the banjo it was on later I will post it.

John Williamson · Post by **John Williamson** » 10 Jun 2017 6:03 pm

Got this word today, posted on Dana Moseley's facebook page.

Dana Moseley
To answer all the questions concerning this beautiful vintage steel. Yes! This is authentic, built by my father, Semie Moseley, for Barbara Mandrell. I verified this with Barbara Today. Mosrite Forever.

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 11 Jun 2017 2:50 pm

I was a friend of Semie from about 1959. I lived in Exeter, CA and Semie was staying with his mom in Oildale(Bakersfield)CA. I would sometimes spend the weekend with him and his mom.
In 1962, Semie has done some modification on my Gretsch 6122 two years before. In fact, after the modification, he built a special one off guitar for me. It had the wider body, as I preferred the bout on my Chet guitar. He rewound the pickups for more full tone. This was his first hollow-body and he didn't make a wooden back for it. He made a metal back and covered it with unborn calfskin and brought it to me in hopes of me becoming a Mosrite player. Sorry to say, I didn't buy it and I am sorry for the historic value. Anyway, he wanted to build me a steel and he described having very fancy scroll top front, almost pulpit-like apron, more like a piece of furniture and completely foreign to the way steels are built. Again, I didn't say yes. We lost touch over the years and I am sorry for that. He was a character and very charismatic.

Godfrey Arthur · Post by **Godfrey Arthur** » 29 Jun 2017 2:11 pm

Gary Walker wrote: He was a character and very charismatic.

First time to see the Mosrite steel.

In the surf guitar world Mosrite turned a few heads.

These are collectable. I had all three of these albums at one time.

(disclaimer note: caption under the above photo is not mine..Godfrey)

The large Ventures fan base and the music tracks on these albums really drove the Mosrite name into orbit. Perfect timing. Even if the guitars may not have been used on the tracks, it made many fans want one.

From San Diego, I once engineered sound for a band that opened up for the Ventures, they used Mosrites 6 and bass. Since I'd helped with production for the Ventures before, I got them to autograph the band's, The Unknowns, guitars. These guys, friends, the drummer a former band mate of mine, had a cult following going at the time in Europe, melding new wave with surf.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 30 Jun 2017 7:41 am

Walk Don't Run #1 was the first LP I ever owned.
It looked on the cover a lot like this with the hot babe in tight pants.
Think I must have been about 13 years old and got it for babysitting.
Got my first 45 when I was 10, It was Purple People Eater.
Getting a tad off topic here.

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 2 Jul 2017 4:38 pm

I had gone to Downey CA a few times to visit with Paul Bigsby on Phlox st. After I had become friends with Semie, I made the mistake of asking Bigsby about what he thought of Semie, and PB had some colorful comments about my new friend,(pardon me for asking) hahaha.

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 9 Jul 2017 3:54 pm

I wanted to add one thing about Semie. I was at his shop in Oildale, the business phone rang. He answered it "Presley's car lot, Elvis speaking." That's what sort of character he was.

John Williamson · Post by **John Williamson** » 19 Feb 2019 6:32 am

Recevied this from Barbara Mandrell.

John Williamson · Post by **John Williamson** » 14 Oct 2024 4:18 pm

Here is a picture of the correct parts. If anyone happens to see them, I would sure like the chance to put this steel back together.

David Ball · Post by **David Ball** » 15 Oct 2024 9:17 am

Semie is buried on Jonas Ridge NC, a couple of miles from my house. He built at least a lot of the Gospel branded guitars in his Jonas Ridge shop.

Dave

Bobby D. Jones · Post by **Bobby D. Jones** » 18 Oct 2024 7:26 pm

There used to be a Peewee Green who played locally, That had a Mosrite guitar. He came up to West Virginia, From Florida with a local man that wintered in Florida. Only Mosrite I have seen, It was a beautiful guitar.
He used to joke about being one of Mel Tillis' original Statesiders band, When they were stationed together in the Air Force, At an Air Force base in the Pacific.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Mosrite pedal steel guitar?

You'd know better than me

Okay

Pedals and rack

Pedal Rack

From these designs.

Walk Don't Run #1

Correct pedal rack and pull rods